What is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?

Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen more firm. The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by patients with loose or sagging tissues after pregnancy or major weight loss.

How much does a tummy tuck cost?

As you may have guessed, a tummy tuck fees vary a lot and rarely will you get a quote over the phone because so many variables are involved. At Bangkok-Phuket Institute of Cosmetic Surgery, the average tummy tuck performed by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will cost between 150,000 THB - 550,000 THB (2014 Only) depending on:

The experience of the surgeon

Parts of the body

The size of the area treated

The technique of surgical

The cost of the facility where it is done differs

Anesthesia and operating time

Why tummy tuck prices are different for different surgeons?

Age and experience of the surgeon

The technique of surgical

The cost of the facility where it is done differs

Anesthesia and operating time

What to expect during your tummy tuck consultation?

The success and safety of your tummy tuck procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation before surgery. The plastic surgeon will ask you some questions and talk about your health, desires and lifestyle:

Use of current medications of you, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs

Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments

Previous surgeries

The plastic surgeon may also:

Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors

Take photographs for your medical record

Discuss your options and recommend appropriate treatment

Discuss likely outcomes of tummy tuck and any risks or potential complications

What you need to do before tummy tuck?

STOP taking around 10-15 days before your surgery date:

Aspirin and medications containing aspirin- Coumadin or any other blood thinners

Ibuprofen and anti-inflammatory agents

Vitamin E

Garlic Supplements

St.John's wort (SJW)

Green Tea or extracts

Estrogen Supplements

All other medications indicated by the doctor

STOP smoking well in advance of surgery - Smoking typically impairs your ability to heal fully and properly. You, the patient must be nicotine free for at least four weeks prior to your surgery. That includes, nicotine patches or any other nicotine based product.

The doctor may also tell you to take certain medications or adjust your current medications.

Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

If you are over 40 years old - You get lab testing or a medical evaluation, such as an EKG test, chest X-ray, and complete blood count check.

You need to healthy - Try to stay as healthy as possible. Try not to catch any colds or viruses. If you do, remember to inform your doctors and nurses performing the surgery/procedure.

What are potential tummy tuck side effects and risks?

Every surgical procedure has risks and potential side effects, include tummy tuck surgery. The plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

Possible tummy tuck risks include:

Bleeding or hematoma - Drains are used after surgery but still some patients may collect blood. If bleeding is severe, a transfusion may be needed.

Poor wound healing - This is when the suture line ends have little tags or triangles of skin from poor incision judgment.

Skin loss - The abdominal wall is stretched during surgery and the blood supply to the skin may be damaged. This may lead to death of the skin. If this happens a skin graft may be needed. This much more common in people with diabetes and smokers.

Anesthesia complications - The risks of general anesthesia include unsuspected inherited hypersensitivity to anesthetic drugs, accidental overdose of anesthesia, any undetected airway disconnection or airway blockage. General anesthesia, which increases the risk of vomiting and impairs protective airway reflexes, can cause aspiration of stomach contents.

Infection - It usually occurs within the first 4 to 6 weeks. A more common is from the Staphylococcus aurous bacteria which are commonly found in the skin. Occurrence of infection can be minimized by using antibacterial soap and frequent hand washing.

Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling - It is common on the abdomen and in severe cases it extends onto the surrounding skin.

Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis) - When the abdominal wall is stretched, the blood supply to the remaining fat and skin may be damaged. On rare occasions this may lead to necrosis of fat cells which become liquefied and hardened. Infection can sometimes develop in these areas.

Loss of abdominal sensitivity - Permanent sensation loss in the lower abdomen or around the navel may happen. There is also a risk of excessive scarring or inner scar tissue which may require additional treatment.

Pulmonary Thromboemboli - A thromboebolus is a blood clot and this blood clot can break free and travel to the lungs resulting in pulmonary. Pulmonary Thromboemboli can happen within 3 weeks of the surgery but will most likely show symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue within the first 72 hours.

Seroma - (a collection of the watery portion of the blood)

Serum is secreted beneath the skin and this leads to a collection of fluid called a seroma. If severe, surgery or aspiration of this fluid is needed.

Umbilical retraction or necrosis - When all scars have contracted the umbilicus may not be in the midline.

Numbness or change in feeling - Unusual feeling or numbness in the abdomen may last for many months.

Wound dehiscence or separation - It is not unusual for the scar to heal slowly and some separation to develop. Although rarely a major problem it may lead to a heavier scar and slower recovery.

Swelling - Most patients have swelling for about a month to six weeks after surgery. In women the labia may be swollen and in men the scrotum may be bruised or swollen.

Visible scar or Thick scar formation - The scar is long and sometimes excess scar can form. This is more common in that genetically prone to heavy scar. Scar revision is sometimes helpful.

General Dissatisfaction - There are the risks of not living up to what you expected. Computer imaging is often an excellent tool in conveying your desires to your surgeon and determining if you are on the same page as your surgeon as far as aesthetics.

Death
Adverse reaction to anesthesia resulting in respiratory failure or cardiac arrest is the most serious risk since it can cause death. However, the chances of this actually happening are extremely small. If you do have a history of allergic or adverse reactions to anesthesia, you are not a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Sometimes, patients may go into shock simply from the physical trauma of the surgery itself (especially for an extensive abdominoplasty or one done in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures). Limiting yourself to one cosmetic surgery at a time is usually the wisest course of action.
Excessive bleeding is another potentially serious side effect. This is most common in patients who are taking medications that interfere with normal blood clotting. Since there are literally hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can thin the blood and affect clotting, it is vital for you to disclose ALL substances you are taking prior to surgery. Your surgeon will let you know what is safe to keep taking, if you need to adjust your dosage, or if you should stop taking a medication temporarily.

Our team and our plastic surgeons take every precaution possible to prevent and minimize the risks of surgery. However, much of the responsibility for risk avoidance rests with the patient as well.

How do you know if you need liposuction or a tummy tuck?

As the need for tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) operation and liposuction varies from person to person, we would like to suggest that you send us your photograph and details of you:

height (cm.)

weight (kg.)

waist measurement (cm.)

age,and gender

along with your medical history such as underling disease / medication

This way our specialist will be able to advise you of the best way to achieve your ideal weight and shape.

Remark:

This information should not be used as a substitute to consultation from a physician. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.